michigan hunting regulations

Michigan Hunting Regulations

Michigan hunters have a variety of species to pursue and ample public land access. Deer, bear, elk, turkey, small game, upland birds and waterfowl are all possible. The Michigan hunting regulations specify dates, license fee schedules and bag limits. We have a summary of the broad points and important info here.

Michigan Hunting License Costs

Resident:

  • Junior Base Hunting – $6
  • Base Hunting – $11
  • Senior Base Hunting – $5
  • Hunt and Fish Combo – $76
  • Antlerless Deer – $20
  • Applications – $5
  • Bear – $25
  • Deer license – $20
  • Deer combo – $40
  • Elk – $100
  • Fur harvester license – $15
  • Mentored youth – $7.50
  • Military License (FT Active duty and 100-percent disabled veterans) – $0
  • Turkey – $15
  • Waterfowl – $12

Non-resident:

  • Base Hunting – $151
  • Hunt and Fish Combo – $266
  • Antlerless Deer – $170 each
  • Applications – $5
  • Deer license – $20
  • Deer combo – $190
  • Small game 7-day – $80

Michigan Hunting Season Dates and Applications

Bear:

Deer:

  • Antlerless Application Period – July 15 – August 15
  • Early antlerless firearm – Sept 16-17
  • Liberty hunt (youth and disabled) – Sept 16-17
  • Independence Hunt – Oct 19-22
  • Archery – Oct 1 – Nov 14, Dec 1 – Jan 1
  • Regular Firearm – Nov 15-30
  • Muzzleloading – Zones 1 and 2 – Dec 1-10, Zone 3 – Dec 1-17
  • Late antlerless firearm – Dec 18 – Jan 1

Elk:

  • Application May 1- June 1, Draw announced June 25
  • Hunt Period One – Aug 28-31, Sept 14-17, Sept 28 – Oct 1, Unit L
  • Hunt Period Two – Dec 15-23, Units F, G, X
  • Hunt Period Three – Jan 16-19, Only if additional harvests are required

Turkey:

  • Spring turkey applications – Jan 1 – Feb 1, Draw on March 5
  • Spring season – April 23 – May 31

Small Game and Upland Bird:

  • Ruffed Grouse – Sept 15 – Nov 14, Dec 1 – Jan 1
  • Sharp-tailed grouse – Oct 10-31, 2 daily, 4 in possession, 6 in season
  • Pheasant (cock only) – Zone 1 – Oct 10-31, Zone 2, 3 – Oct 20 – Nov 14, Zone 3 partial – Dec 1 – Jan 1, 2 daily, 4 in possession

Quail:

  • Oct 20 – Nov 14
  • 5 daily, 10 in possession

Rabbit:

  • Sept 15 – March 31
  • 5 daily, 10 in possession

Squirrel (gray and fox):

  • Sept 15 – March 1
  • 5 daily, 10 in possession

Woodcock:

  • Sept 23 – Nov 6
  • 3 daily, 9 in possession

Coyote:

  • Year-round, no limit

Where to hunt in Michigan:

When you start researching hunting areas, this is a must use resource from the Michigan hunting regulations page – http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79147_81529—,00.html. The interactive maps and Grouse Enhanced Management Sites map is incredibly useful. You can also look up managed waterfowl hunting areas and state WMA’s.

In addition to the extensive state managed resources, you can hunt forest service lands and in some cases Commercial Forest Lands. The Hunting Access Program or HAP can also open the door to private lands, extending your ability to hunt more acres with less pressure.

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